Chapter 2: Planning Your Wireless Network; Network Topology; Network Layout - Linksys Instant Wireless Series User Manual

This appendix supplies the Adapter's regulatory information.
• Appendix H: Contact Information
This appendix provides contact information for a variety of Linksys resources, including Technical
Support.
Chapter 2: Planning Your
Wireless Network

Network Topology

A wireless network is a group of computers, each equipped with one wireless adapter. Computers
in a wireless network must be configured to share the same radio channel. Several PCs equipped
with wireless cards or adapters can communicate with one another to form an ad-hoc network.
Linksys wireless adapters also provide users access to a wired network when using an access
point or wireless router. An integrated wireless and wired network is called an infrastructure
network. Each wireless PC in an infrastructure network can talk to any computer in a wired
network infrastructure via the access point or wireless router.
An infrastructure configuration extends the accessibility of a wireless PC to a wired network, and
can double the effective wireless transmission range for two wireless adapter PCs. Since an
access point is able to forward data within a network, the effective transmission range in an
infrastructure network can be doubled.
Roaming
Infrastructure mode also supports roaming capabilities for mobile users. Roaming means that you
can move your wireless PC within your network and the access points will pick up the wireless
PC's signal, providing that they both share the same SSID.
Before enabling roaming, choose a feasible radio channel and optimum access point position.
Proper access point positioning combined with a clear radio signal will greatly enhance
performance.
infrastructure: a wireless network that is
bridged to a wired network via an access point.
ad-hoc: a group of wireless devices
communicating directly with each other (peerto-
peer) without the use of an access point.
roaming: the ability to take a wireless device
from one access point's range to another without
losing the connection.
ssid: your wireless network's name.
topology: the physical layout of a network.

Network Layout

Dual-Band Wireless A+G products offer the most flexibility, because they can connect to 802.11a
networks, or they can connect to networks with 802.11g and/or 802.11b devices—depending on
the settings you configure on the dual-band products.
The Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter is compatible with all 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g
routers, as well as access points. It will also communicate with wireless Notebook Adapters for
your laptop computers, wireless PCI adapters for your desktop PCs, and wireless USB adapters
when you want to enjoy USB connectivity. Wireless products will also communicate with wireless
print servers.
When you wish to connect your wired network with your wireless network, network ports on
access points and wireless routers can be connected to any of Linksys's switches or wired routers.
With these, and many other, Linksys products, your networking options are limitless. Go to the
Linksys website at www.linksys.com for more information about wireless products.